Environmental Services staff members at the School of Dentistry have a dedicated breakroom and operations suite designed to support rest, coordination, and daily work.
The Environmental Services (EVS) custodial staff who help maintain the University of Maryland School of Dentistry now have a dedicated space to rest, recharge, and prepare for the day thanks to the opening of a new EVS breakroom and operations suite.
Tucked away in the lower level of the Health Sciences Research Facility III (HSRFIII) building, the new space was designed to provide EVS staff assigned to the School of Dentistry with a comfortable and functional area for breaks, meetings, and daily operations. Unlike many of the communal spaces they’ve been using, this space was designed exclusively for them.
Denise Meyer, director for Environmental Services, said the room grew out of a need. “For years, the department faced challenges with gaining access to consistent breakrooms, largely due to space limitations, growing academic programs, and limited funding. The idea grew out of a long‑standing need for Environmental Services custodial staff to have equitable, dedicated break and workspaces across campus.”
The project reflects a broader effort by UMB’s Administration and Finance (A&F) division to support employee well-being while strengthening the infrastructure that keeps campus facilities running smoothly.
Approximately 36 EVS custodial team members support the School of Dentistry across day and evening shifts, performing essential work that helps ensure the safety, cleanliness, and functionality of one of UMB’s busiest academic buildings. Until now, those employees had limited access to consistent break space due to space constraints and the rapid growth of academic programs within the School of Dentistry.
The need for a dedicated area for EVS staff has been recognized for several years. A potential solution emerged when space in the lower level of HSRFIII was identified as a possible location. With the approval of the School of Medicine to assign the space for EVS use, A&F leadership moved forward with plans to transform the area into a centralized hub for the team.
Meyers said, “About three years ago, a potential solution emerged when space in the lower level of HSRFIII was identified as a viable location. We appreciate the School of Medicine’s approval for EVS to use and be assigned this space within an SOM facility. A&F leadership recognized the significance of this opportunity, and Dr. Dawn Rhodes [chief business and finance officer and senior vice president] made it a priority to allocate funding so the space could be transformed into a proper EVS breakroom, management office suite, storage area, and locker facility.”
With the funding secured, the space was envisioned to be a fully functional EVS suite that includes a breakroom, management offices, storage areas, and locker facilities.
The design of the space would need to be carefully considered. Providing EVS custodial staff with a dedicated and dignified place to take breaks was the primary goal. But consolidating operational resources in one location, and improving communication and coordination between team members and management were also important.
Construction on the project took approximately 12 months, beginning in March 2025 and concluding in February 2026. The work required close coordination with UMB’s Design and Construction team to transform the previously underutilized space into a welcoming environment for EVS staff.
This attention to detail has not gone unnoticed.
According to Caleb Summer, an EVS custodial tech I who has been with the University for two years and is using the University’s tuition remission program to earn his master’s degree in social work, “This space means a lot to me. It's a comfortable place for us to come relax on our break. I'm thankful that they gave it to us. It's a great feeling to come in here when we need to sit and just have some time to ourselves until it's time to get back to work.”
While the project experienced minor delays related to locker deliveries and fire safety system inspections, the overall construction process moved forward smoothly.
Since opening, the space has received overwhelmingly positive feedback from EVS team members and managers. The intentionality behind the room is a theme that came up.
“To me, this space means camaraderie. It means we can all be in one space, a space that’s been planned and thought about. We never had a space where, in the morning, we could come in and have our coffee, our tea, and then everybody is ready to go. It’s a place of calm,” said Daphne Bowls in Housekeeping.
Beyond its practical benefits, the project also reflects a broader commitment to equity and respect for front-line employees who play a vital role in campus operations.
EVS staff are responsible for maintaining the cleanliness, safety, and daily functionality of facilities across UMB. Providing them with a dedicated breakroom and operational hub helps ensure they have the resources and support needed to perform their work effectively.
More importantly, the new breakroom represents a meaningful investment in the people who help keep the School of Dentistry running every day.